WEST COAST NOTES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17470, 2 June 1922, Page 11

WEST COAST NOTES.

WESTPORT WAR MEMORIAL. (special to "tob fress.") GREYMOUTH, June 1. "Westport'a War Memorial will be 'unveiled on Saturday by Mr G, Mitchell, M.P. Local labour circles are reported ■to be chagrined at the passing over of Mr H. F. Holland, member for the district, who has, not been invited to participate m tho proceedings. The •'Wcstport News" states that there are 'l9*2 names on the tablets of tho memorial When the Town Clerk invited relatives to send in the names of soldiers, som-3 of them evidently thought the names of those who had served at the front was intended, with the result that the narres appear of a number of returned soldiers who are still in tho fesh. Their experience when reading the memorial tablets something like that of people who, supposedly dead, read their own obituary notices.

Beginning of Winter. Despite the fact that it is nominally the first of the winter months, May was fairly free frcm rain in Greymouth. A total of 4.21 inches fell on only 12 days and the highest rainfall was 96 points on Mav sth. The month was very cold and the temperature never exceeded 57 degrees. From the early part of the month an average temperature of about 40 degrees was registered dailj'. Vital Statistics. There were 15 births, eight marriages and ten deaths in the Grey district during May. Public Works. 1 The Minister of Public Works has advised the Westland County Council lhat the Government engineers prefer to reconstruct the Blue river—Haast track at the existing sliopery face slip in lieu of deviation, which would be more oostly and still liable to slip. In rhese circumstances authority for the expenditure of the Parliamentary vote of £SOO has been issued to the Resident Engineer, to proceed with the work of reconstruction along the lino of the track at the existing slip. This has been held in abeyance for a long time and the news that the difficulty is to be grappled with will bo welcomed by all who have occasion to use the road.

Advice has been received by Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., that the Tourist Department has issued authority for the expenditure of £SO to place the Copeland P.iss track in passable order. Mr J. D. Gillies, Resident Engineer, visited Hokiyka yesterday on business in connexion with the drainage works 'at the mental hospital, where a conference was held with Dr. Hay in regard to undertaking the works involved. Later Mr Gillies .visited ]\anieri in connexion with the tramway crossing to be put in by tho Kanieri Sawmilling Company on the main road near the old tramway route. Dr. Hay left for Christchurch to-day. The Coal Miners. Although the coai miners are reported to be airing grievances over the wage reductions, serious trouble is unlikelyj and there is no shortage of labour. Housing Shortage. Denniston is having a new experience in the shape of a housing shortage. In several instances two families are said to be occupying a, four-roomed house. The Coal Company has made a start towards building several new houses, but time must elnpse before these are completed. The population of Millerton has largely increased during the last few months and every available house is taken and anyone with an oid "shack" to sell now can get his price.